Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Research interests have concentrated on the fields of magnetospheric physics and waves in space plasmas with an emphasis on ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves, often referred to as geomagnetic pulsations.

The earth's magnetosphere is the region of near earth space that is threaded by magnetic field lines linked to the earth and in which ionized gas predominates over the neutral atmosphere. It is populated with ions and electrons from the earth's upper atmosphere and the impinging solar wind and by high energy particles trapped in the radiation belts. Space plasma waves of interest are hydromagnetic wave disturbance phenomena which relate to sources that may be internal or external to the magnetosphere. In particular Pc1 2 (0.2 5 Hz) pulsations are ion cyclotron plasma waves associated with the substorm which is the fundamental magnetospheric instability and internal free energy source. On the other hand, the source of lower frequency plasma waves, Pc3-4 (10-150 s period) pulsations seen at low latitudes and in the high latitude cusp region, are thought to be upstream waves external to the magnetosphere and originating in the near earth solar wind.

Of interest is the generation and propagation characteristics of ion cyclotron waves and hydromagnetic waves in the earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere at high and low latitudes using both ground-based observations in Australia and Antarctica and spacecraft data provided through US collaborations and outside studies program sabbaticals. Over the period 1968-1985 research was conducted primarily on an individual basis with postgraduate student participation. Extensive studies of the magnetospheric and ionospheric propagation of Pc1 ion cyclotron waves were undertaken using networks of ground recording stations.

The mid-1980's saw the beginning of the expansion of the Space Plasma Waves Group (SPWG) with the appointment of a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. F.W. Menk). At this time joint research with the Australian Antarctic Division led to the installation of magnetometers at all four Australian Antarctic bases, and later at the New Zealand base. Early work concentrated on the propagation of Pc1-2 waves across the polar cap but this has considerably expanded through international cooperation to include studies of Pc3-5 waves and their relationship to the magnetospheric cusp region and upstream wave sources in the solar wind.

The SPWG continued to consolidate and expand with the appointment Dr. Menk as Lecturer (1987) and Dr. H.J. Hansen as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (1987-1994). Theoretical studies were strengthened through the appointment of Dr. Hu as a Research Associate for three years (1992-1994). In 1994 the group comprised of two academic staff, two Postdoctoral Research Associates, an Honorary Research Associate, a computer programmer, an electronics engineer and eight postgraduate students.

The need for spacecraft data to supplement ground data and theoretical work was satisfied in 1980 when cooperative research began with UCLA on the study of Pc1-2 electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves (EMIC) in the magnetosphere using ATS-6 and ISEE spacecraft data. This cooperation continued through 1986. In 1994 Dr Colin Waters returned to the group which was renamed the Space Physics Group (SPG) to reflect the wider diversity of research being undertaken. In the ensuing two years an imaging riometer was installed at Davis, Antarctica and an optical imager at Scott Base (NZ). Two new Postdoctoral Research Associates joined the SPG in 1998, Dr Pasha Ponomarenko (1998- ) to work on ULF waves at cusp and Dr Murray Sciffer (1998-2002) to undertake theory on the propagation of ULF waves through the ionosphere. At this time funding became available for the installation of a SuperDARN radar (TIGER) in Tasmania which was commissioned in 1999. For the next 6 years this was the lowest latitude SD radar in existence and proved ideal for plasmapause-plasmatrough studies. Also our commitment to the seven year life of CRC for Satellite Systems began. This led to the construction of NewMag for the fluxgate magnetometer experiment on FedSat with help from UCLA. FedSat was launched into a circular polar orbit at 800km altitude in December 2002 and NewMag has been operational almost continuously and is still gathering data up to the present time (August 2005). Dr Dimitri Pohkotelov joined the SPG over 2002 - 2003 and developed magnetospheric models of use in ULF wave studies. Another Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dr Michael Terkildsen joined the SPG in August 2003 to work on NewMag FedSat data relating to field aligned current systems. He was replaced by Dr Stephen Morley in 2005.

In 1990 EMIC wave research on bouncing wave packets and energy propagation in the magnetosphere began using CRRES data at AFRL. This has continued over the last decade using CRRES E and B field data and Iowa plasma wave data with emphasis on EMIC wave source locations. It has involved direct cooperation with the CRRES science team and others.

As leader of the SPG I have maintained research leadership and a primary contribution to all research areas under study but have also retained and developed areas for personal research. These latter include spacecraft studies of ion cyclotron and hydromagnetic waves, theoretical studies of ion cyclotron waves and international cooperative studies on waves in the region of the high latitude cusp and polar cap.

Over the last five years research has been concentrated in specific areas; ULF wave studies at high latitudes involving diagnostics of the last closed field lines and the open-closed boundary in the dayside cusp region, and at low and equatorial latitudes including application to diagnostics of the magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas. These studies provide important information on the dynamics of high and low latitude boundary regions and are potentially important input parameters for space weather modelling. Spacecraft studies have been mainly concerned with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the middle magnetosphere using CRRES electric and magnetic field data to determine EMIC wave and propagation characteristics and the magnetotail which, for the first time, studied PSBL EMIC waves. High latitude imaging riometer and optical imaging observations have been used to study the dynamics of the cusp and polar cap regions. About 30% of research time over the last four years has been devoted to developing the NewMag fluxgate magnetometer payload on the Australian microsatellite FedSat. FedSat, Australias first satellite in 30 years was successfully launched in December 2002 and the magnetometer has been gathering data since January 2003. Additional indication of the scope of my research can be seen in the titles of the publications listed below. In the last two years the relationship between plasma plumes identified in IMAGE-EUV and CRRES Iowa PWI data and EMIC waves has emerged as a new and exciting research interest.

A strong group has been built up over the last decade and the research has gained international recognition through publications in reputable international journals and papers presented at international conferences.

Qualifications

PhD, University of Canterbury - New Zealand

Bachelor of Science, University of New Zealand

Master of Science (Honours), University of New Zealand

Research

Research keywords

Magnetometer Instrumentation

Magnetospheric Physics

Plasma Physics

Plasma Waves

Space Physics

ionospheric Physics

Research expertise

Research interests have concentrated on the fields of magnetospheric physics and waves in space plasmas, including ultra-low frequency (ULF) plasma waves. Of interest is the generation and propagation characteristics of ion cyclotron waves and hydromagnetic waves in the earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere at high and low latitudes using both ground-based observations in Australia and Antarctica and spacecraft data provided through US collaborations, outside studies program sabbaticals and the CRC for Satellite Systems.

Over the period 1968-1985 research was conducted primarily on an individual basis with postgraduate student participation. Extensive studies of the magnetospheric and ionospheric propagation of ULF ion cyclotron waves were undertaken using networks of ground recording stations. The mid-1980's saw the beginning of the expansion of the Space Physics Group (SPG). Joint research with the Australian Antarctic Division led to the installation of magnetometers at all four Australian Antarctic bases, and the NZ base. Early work concentrated on the propagation of Pc1-2 waves across the polar cap but this has considerably expanded through international cooperation to include studies of Pc3-5 waves and their relationship to the magnetospheric cusp region and upstream wave sources in the solar wind.

The need for spacecraft data to supplement ground data and theoretical work was satisfied in 1980 when cooperative research began with UCLA on the study of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves (EMIC) in the magnetosphere using ATS-6 and ISEE spacecraft data. This cooperation continued through 1986. In 1996 an imaging riometer was installed at Davis, Antarctica and an optical imager at Scott Base (NZ). Work on ULF waves at cusp and theory on the propagation of ULF waves through the ionosphere commenced in 1998, and the SuperDARN radar (TIGER) was commissioned in 1999. The SPG was a core partner in the CRC for Satellite Systems (199802005). The SPG built and led the NewMag fluxgate magnetometer experiment on FedSat. FedSat was launched into a polar orbit in 12/2002, and NewMag has operated continuously and is still gathering data (04/07). NewMag FedSat research has concerned high latitude field aligned current systems.

Over the last five years research has been concentrated in specific areas; ULF wave studies at high latitudes involving diagnostics of the open-closed field line boundary in the dayside cusp region, and at low and equatorial latitudes including application to diagnostics of the magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas. Spacecraft studies have been mainly concerned with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the middle magnetosphere using CRRES data to determine EMIC wave characteristics, and ISEE in the magnetotail, discovered PSBL EMIC waves. In the last three years the relationship between plasma plumes identified in IMAGE-EUV and CRRES Iowa PWI data and EMIC waves seen by the GOES satellites has emerged as a new and exciting research, leading to an explanation for magnetospheric ring current decay.

A strong group has been built up over the last decade and the research has gained international recognition through publications in reputable international journals and papers presented at international conferences. It became the Research Centre for Space Physics in 02/06

Administrative

Administrative expertise

University administrative work has covered a wide range of activities from Head of Physics (1987-1990) involving running a department with 13 academics and an equal number of general staff, to Chairing the Task Force on University Computing Services (1989) which involved integrating the old College of Advanced Education computing services into the larger University computing service. With respect to research, I was a member of the University Research Committee (1996-1998), the University Outside Studies Program Committee (2002-2003), member of the University Computing Policy Committee (1988-1990) and Chair of the Faculty if Science Research Committee (1995-1999). These positions demanded a wide range of expertise in assessing Faculty and University-wide research grants and programs and planning for the future, and an expert overall knowledge of computing systems and facilities. This computing systems knowledge contributed to Membership of the Consultative Committee on the Computer/Teaching Building (1988-1990), which was the first University building to be completely wired for broad-band LAN access.

External Australian administration includes services to the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) through Chair and Member of the National Committee on Space Science (1992-2000) and (1983-1989; 2000-2008) respectively. Other AAS committees served included Membership of the National Committee on Radio Science (1975-1977; 1985-1990; 1992-2005) and the National Committee on Antarctic Research (1992-2003).

Overseas external committee appointments include Membership of the Governing Board of the American Institute of Physics as one of only two non-USA members (2005-2009), Australian National delegate to various research programs and international Unions and Associations; International Union Of Radio Science (1998-2004), Scientific Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics (1998-2008), International Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (1997-2003) and the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (1994-2003). I have been involved in another 22 international representations which are not noted here due to space limitations.

Journal editorial management is an important contribution. I have served on numerous American Geophysical Union (AGU) committees. The AGU has 45,000 members in the USA and worldwide. Duties included Editor of Geophysical Research Letters (Impact factor 2.491; 1993-1996), Member of the AGU Publications Committee (1998-2002), Chair of AGU Editor Search Committees for Radio Science (Impact factor 0.951) and Journal of Geophysical Research (Impact factor 2.784). I am also a member of the AGU International Award Committee and the Nominations Committee, the latter selecting the President elect of the AGU every 2 years.

Within the Geospace Environment Modelling (GEM) program sponsored by the US National Science Foundation, I was Chair of the Working Group on ULF Waves (2003-2006) and an international liaison member of the GEM Steering Committee (1991- ).

The CRC for Satellite Systems (1998-2005) built and launched FedSat, Australias first satellite in 30 years. Over the lifetime of the CRCSS I was Program Leader for Space Science, Chair of the Research Committee, Project Leader for the NewMag payload on FedSat and a member of the Governing Board (2005).

With respect to scientific societies, I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

Peer Instruction

Problem based Learning

Reseach Student Supervision

Teaching expertise

Since appointment as Lecturer in 1968 teaching has been undertaken in various courses in all stages from Physics 100 to Physics 400 (Hons) on the topics of Waves, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Sound, Optics, Atomic Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Biophysics, Nuclear Physics, Transmission Lines and Filters, Electronics, Instrumentation, Electromagnetism, Magnetohydrodynamics, Plasma Physics, Plasma Waves and Solar Terrestrial Physics. External teaching has included Higher School Certificate Physics, Radiography Physics, Physics for Mature Age Students and In Service Physics Courses for secondary school teachers on all areas of physics and space science. Teaching has also included the supervision of 24 PhD/MSc research higher degree students

Fraser BJ, 'Research on Solar-Terrestrial and Space Physics at the University of Newcastle', 16th National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics : physics for the nation : congress proceedings, Canberra (2005) [E3]

Terkildsen MB, Fraser BJ, Ponomarenko P, Menk FW, Morris RJ, 'Coupling of the ionosphere and magnetosphere at high latitudes', Program and Abstracts, 13th National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics, Fremantle, Australia (1998) [E3]

Fraser BJ, Nguyen TS, 'Source Regions of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the middle magnetosphere', Program and Abstracts, 13th National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics, Fremantle, Australia (1998) [E3]